Principals Message

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends

will leave footprints in your heart.”  Eleanor Roosevelt

Hopefully, some of the most cherished footprints left in the hearts 

of children will be those of their parents.  There is a natural intimacy between parents and children when unconditional love is interchanged.  It is a birthright of children to have parents who are stable and who don’t abandon them when the going gets tough.

Parental love is essential for the development, even survival of children during their formative years; if it’s not available, the negative effects can last long into adulthood.  The bonds that are formed between parents and children are the essence of what is most human within children and give them the basic building blocks that structure their personalities.  It is important that parents be actively involved with children at close range. It is vital not to be long distance parents either emotionally or physically and to show love not just through words but also through the positive actions of daily life.

Parenting has been likened to an artist’s palette.  Each parent makes a contribution to the palette from all the elements of their being: emotions, intellect, manner of expression, personal integrity, Christian values and all that goes to make up the rich tapestry that is each of their lives. 

Their children come to that palette and according to their level of maturity, dip their brush of life onto the palette and begin to fill in their own image. The greater the riches and abundance that are on the palette, the more positive and balanced will be the images of the children and the richer their life will be as they mature towards their own adulthood. 

From L Burke reflections.

“The most natural thing is family life.  What keeps the family together, what nourishes the life of the family, is that surrender to each other; is that accepting of each other.”                                                                                           Mother Theresa

We hope that you enjoyed your long weekend with your family.  It was an opportune time for our staff and students to recharge their batteries through rest and down time.  The next 4 weeks will be very busy with Naplan, athletics training, Cross country practice, fundraising activities and more.

LENTEN FUNDRAISERS 

We are now in the third week of Lent.  Our students are organising some fundraising activities for Caritas.  Caritas is a catholic relief , development and social service organisation which works to build a better world for the poor and oppressed. 

We are asking for a gold coin donation for the privilege of participating in the dress up days.

Friday March 24th: Pyjama dress up day. (wear your PJs)

Wednesday March 29th: P for Project Compassion (dress as something that starts with P)

Thursday April 6th: Goodies to be sold on  Cross Country Day.

NAPLAN

Naplan begins this week.  Our grade 3 and 5 learners will participate in NAPLAN on the following days: 

WRITING: Wednesday March 15 from 9.30am - 10.30am

READING: Friday March 17th from 9.30am - 10.30am

CONVENTIONS of LANGUAGE: Monday March 20 from 9.30am - 10.30am

NUMERACY: Thursday March 23 from 9.30am - 10.30am

CATCH UP DAY: Friday March 24th from 8.50am - 9.50am

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

THRASS: Tuesday and Wednesday March 14 & 15, Mrs Brook -Mrs Fraser 3/4 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NETWORK: March 16, Mrs Brockett -Mrs Barlow 5/6

PRINCIPAL MEETING: March 16 -Mrs Fraser

FESTIVAL OF THE SACRED: March 28, Mrs Brockett -Ms Marshall 5/6

SANDHURST ABORIGINAL NETWORK: March 30, Mrs Fraser

PUPIL FREE DAY

On Friday March 31 our staff will be spending the day with Catherine Bonham from CES, who will support us in analysing data.  Analysing data is an important part of our testing schedule and guides our planning and explicit teaching.

ST PATRICK’S DAY

St Patricks’s day is on Friday March 17.  The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. 

We encourage our learners to wear something green such as a hair ribbon, scrunchie, T-shirt or socks.  Please do not wear hair colour or face paint.

HARMONY DAY

Harmony Day is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings 

together Australians from all different backgrounds.  

Our learners are invited to wear something orange which signifies social communication and meaningful conversations.

 It also relates to the freedom of ideas 

and encouragement of mutual respect.

FIRST TERM HOLIDAYS

Our learners break for the first term holidays on Thursday April 6th at 2.20pm.

School returns for Term Two on Monday April 24th.  The following day is ANZAC day so there is a public holiday on Tuesday April 25th.                                                  

Catherine Fraser